The Veteran's right knee arthritis is currently rated as noncompensable prior to November 17, 2014 and at a 30 percent rating from January 1, 2016. The appeal period for these ratings ends on the date of his increased rating claim.,The Veteran's low back disability is not yet rated under any specific diagnostic code. His status post gall bladder removal has been rated as noncompensable.
The deciding factor: The current ratings do not reflect the severity of the Veteran’s right knee disabilities, particularly prior to November 17, 2014 and from January 1, 2016. The Veteran's symptoms include pain, limitation of motion, and functional loss that are not adequately addressed by the current ratings.,The Veteran has reported worsening back disability and gall bladder issues since his last VA examination in March 2011. Therefore, a new examination is needed to assess these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Arthritis, Low Back Disability, Status Post Gall Bladder Removal
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 19, 2018
- Citation
- 18112375
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18112375.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating prior to August 12, 2013 was denied as his right knee disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5003.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating from April 1, 2016 was denied as he is already receiving the maximum allowable disability rating of 60 percent for total right knee replacement.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Mays & Schnapp Pain Management and schedule the Veteran for additional medical examinations.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, including diagnosed degenerative arthritis with DDD other than intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis status post L3, L4, and L5 laminectomy. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury and his ongoing symptoms since then.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disability, low back condition, bilateral knee disabilities, and left shoulder strain have been granted service connection. The Veteran's low back condition has been increased to a 40 percent evaluation, while the bilateral knee conditions remain at their current 10 percent evaluations.
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